Book.Defy Is A Social Network Dedicated To... Cheaper Used Text Books?

It's the bane of all college students' existence: that day at the beginning of each semester where they must dip into the pizza and beer fund to spend hundreds of dollars on pricey textbooks. There's a new solution to the dilemma, in the form of a social network. But the real twist, or perhaps sign of the times, comes in the site's marketing, touted for its commitment to privacy more than its cost-savings effect. The new network, Book.Defy, was launched not at the start of a new semester, but just this week in honor of "Data Privacy Day," a tactic that demonstrates both the site's commitment to user privacy and its bet that privacy protections will attract users as much as or more than financial gain. The site is premised on the company's belief that, "Security and privacy are the NUMBER ONE concerns of college students when dealing online," as explained in the press release announcing the launch. Further explaining its privacy commitment, "The privacy and security [of users] are further maintained by the inability of other people to see information about each member on the site. Unlike a typical social network website, there are no friends, there are no postings, and only information necessary so that other users can engage and exchange textbooks. Furthermore, providing cell phone numbers is not necessary, as Book.Defy uses Voice over IP (VoIP) to communicate from the site and thus, protects the student's personal phone numbers." Skipped in the release, but explained on the Web site, are the cost savings behind the idea, "Just like you, the creators of Book.Defy are tired of buying textbooks for a few hundred dollars, then reselling them for a fraction of what we paid for them, only to have the bookstores markup those same used textbooks 3 and 400%! Every year textbook prices get higher - for what reason? Because they can?" Book.Defy was first launched in 2006 but just expanded now as a social network. The tool is open to college students only, but also identifies professors and local businesses in its target demographic. The process is relatively simple. Users enter their textbook with the ISBN number and it goes into the system for other students to find. Once there's a match, the buyer suggests an exchange and the buyer and seller meet at a predetermined place to complete the transaction. Although Book.Defy has taken pains to protect users' identities online, did they miss a larger, offline privacy concern by requiring in-person meetings? The site argues no, pointing out they recommend sellers and buyers meeting in common areas of the university or place of business. They also work with Skype so that users can talk to each other about exchanges without disclosing their personal cell phones and other information. And, putting a personal stamp on their commitment to privacy, the site promises to "only ask you to give us information about yourself that we will provide to you." In other words, once you sign up, you'll be given the personal email and cell phone of the site's founder. Tell us what you think in the comments. A gimmick or solid privacy protection?

Social Pro Daily

Book.Defy Is A Social Network Dedicated To... Cheaper Used Text Books?

Katie Kindelan

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

Katie Kindelan